Grade 12 - Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States

Sunday School Curriculum Grade 12
Week 3 - How to Start a Spiritual Life with God
Objective:
To study the signs marking correct start.
To indicate false starts in the way of spirituality.
Memory verse:
―When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom‖ (Proverbs 11:2).
Lesson Outline:
I. God Is The One Who Always Takes The Initiative With Man
Jesus Christ incarnated and came to us bringing atonement by accepting to die for us and
consequently lifting the load of indictment on our behalf. He granted us a life of victory forever and
the hope for an eternal, glorious, and heavenly heritage by His sacrifice. He said about Himself, ―I
stand at the door and knock‖ for He invites us to live with Him forever as He says, ―In My Father‘s
house there are many rooms.‖ By all this, He seeks to make us members of His flock, with His saints,
and the family of God‘s house.
II. Why Don’t We Live With God Right Now?
Our response to God‘s invitation means that we dismiss and despise Satan and the will of the self.
At the same time, we choose the narrow road, which is the way enlightened by God‘s commandments
and the voice of the Holy Spirit.
If we neglect the commandments of our Heavenly Father and turn to a distant world where we are
lost as we follow our own lustful instincts, then we discover our intense hunger and thirst. Our life is
devoid of God‘s consolation. At this point, we need to arise and return into the bosom of our Father.
We can do so by kneeling down and praying fervently, filled with the hope and the faith that He will
receive us joyfully and open His house for us. He will do so because His son was dead but is now
alive, he was lost but now is found. Consequently, we should deliver our lives into His hands, leaving
behind our carnal desires and worldly inclinations. Surely God will perceive our repentance and
sincerity and will accept our return to Him.
Someone may say that he was determined to repent but did not act upon that, or that he wished to
live with Christ but did not know how to go through this experience. Another may say that he started
but failed and sunned quickly. In such conditions it is necessary to realize that the start was wrong for
the reasons studies below.
III. Obstacles Preventing Us From Making A Correct Start
A. Things that are dear to us
In other words, we have not given up any personal or physical pleasures in spite of our desire to
live with God. Any form of sin is darkness and death as well as destruction to the soul. Consequently,
not giving it up indicates that we do not fully trust in God‘s power to liberate us and fill us. If we trust
our Lord, He will give us victory, safety, and recovery from the bites of the serpent (Satan) more than
those who were healed by looking with faith at the serpent made of brass.
94 DECEMBER